Welsh local authorities now have a legal duty to promote sustainable travel after the Active Travel (Wales) Act came into force last Thursday.

The Act means councils are obliged to promote walking and cycling. It requires them to produce integrated network maps showing active travel routes and to prepare policies supporting sustainable transport modes.

Local authorities are also expected to deliver continuous improvement in the range and quality of walking and cycling routes year on year, while highway construction and improvement schemes must consider provision of space for active travel.

Transport Minister Edwina Hart said she will shortly be publishing design and delivery guidance for how local authorities should implement the Act.

“By making it easier to walk and cycle this Act enables people all over Wales to enjoy the benefits greater physical activity brings.” she said.

“The Welsh Government is already working with local authorities to create more opportunities for pupils to walk and cycle safely to school through the Safe Routes in Communities programme and funding for cycle training schemes.”

Sustrans Cymru national director Jane Lorimer said: “We know from our work that over half of children would like to cycle to school, but in reality only 2% of trips to school in Wales are by bike. Getting young people cycling and walking more often will improve public health and tackle school run traffic congestion.”

CIHT director of policy and technical affairs Andrew Hugill said cycling and walking have an important role to play in reducing pressure on road space, improving health through physical activity and making city environments and public spaces better places to live.

“The range of issues involved is complex, but their resolution is at the heart of allowing all users of our highway and transport networks to make more effective and safer travel choices. The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 and its supporting guidance will go a long way towards achieving this,” he said.

(Photo: John Spooner)

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